Toy building blocks and building block kit packaging

ABSTRACT

A toy building block is comprised of a slotted interlocking brick that contains a slot for receiving planar material. The slotted toy building block may be provided in a kit with the planar material to be received within the slot. The slotted toy building block and planar material may also be provided in a kit that is contained within a package that includes one or more planar surfaces, with the planar material being removed from the one or more planar surfaces. The building block kit may also include one or more other toy building blocks that comprise interlocking bricks that are configured for attachment to a waste item.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/207,584 filed on Mar. 10, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to new toy building blocks and a new concept for more environmentally friendly packaging for toy building block kits which include the new toy building block.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Toy building block kits are made by various companies such as LEGO, Mega Bloks, DUPLO and others. These building blocks are of various shapes and sizes and are provided in kits sold in various types of packages. Cardboard boxes are the packaging most often used for these building block kits. The invention includes a more environmentally friendly design for the boxes in which these types of kits are sold.

Various construction systems (also referred to as construction sets and building sets) that utilize multiple releasably connectable components have been in popular use for many years in different applications ranging from toys to consumer and commercial furnishings, to architectural building systems. As a result, a great number of previously developed solutions are available for each type of construction system depending on the intended use thereof.

However, regardless of application, all previously developed construction systems can be separated into two basic categories: “Category-1” systems with construction components that directly releasably interconnect with one another in a strictly predefined manner, and “Category-2” systems with construction components that require one or more connector elements for releasable connection therebetween in one or more predetermined positions.

Many of the previously known Category-1 construction systems comprise building block sets with the majority of the blocks being substantially equivalent to a block having one surface with male coupling connectors, and an opposing surface with female receiving connectors (such as a female receiving region), sized and configured for releasable frictional engagement with male coupling connectors inserted therein. Category-1 sets may also include blocks with male-only coupling connectors, for use as a base, or in other applications where a flat surface connected to one or more building blocks is needed.

Examples of the most common Category-1 construction systems include the toy building block sets of the LEGO brand. Top and bottom isometric views of an exemplary construction component used in such toy building block sets are shown in FIG. 1. The block 10, has on the outside a male connector surface 12 with several connector studs 14, and outer walls 16. The block 10 has a female receiving region 18, bounded by inner walls 20 and including a number of cylindrical projections 22, positioned along the central longitudinal axis A-A, to form plural female connective regions between the projections 22 and the inner walls 20, sized and configured to frictionally engage the studs 14 when they are brought into coupling connection therewith. The female receiving region 18 may include a number of additional engaging elements, such as ribs along the inner walls 20, to assist in achieving frictional engagement with the male studs 14.

While Category-1 construction sets may be supplied with individual “special elements” that allow specific predefined non-conventional connective configurations, the vast majority of “average” building elements are variations of the building block 10, that may differ in size, but that are connectable to one another only through engagement of at least a portion of each block's male connector surface with at least a portion of corresponding female connective regions of another block or blocks.

Therefore, utilizing the commonly supplied average building elements, a conventional Category 1 construction system only enables blocks to be connectively stacked into an exemplary structure constructed utilizing blocks substantially similar to blocks 10 having a male connector surface 12 with several connector studs 14 and a female receiving regions 16, bounded by inner walls 18 and including a number of cylindrical projections 19.

Notwithstanding their popularity, the most commonly supplied ‘average’ building blocks of Category-1 toy construction sets suffer from a number of disadvantages. First and foremost, there are very significant limitations on the how such building blocks can be releasably connected to one another, i.e., the blocks can only be connected in a stacking fashion, with the male coupling connectors of at least a portion of the blocks being in releasable engagement with female receiving connectors of another portion of the blocks.

This serious flaw severely inhibits the creativity of a person (e.g., a child) playing with the construction set, by forcing them to use the building elements in a very specific manner.

Another drawback of the majority of Category-1 building blocks is the relative weakness of coupling force between smaller and significantly larger interconnected blocks, and of the stability of their orientations with respect to one another. A number of solutions have been proposed to address the drawbacks related to weakness of the coupling force and of the stability of orientation. Nevertheless, the inherent structure and construction of the majority of commonly used Category-1 building blocks eliminates the possibility of expanding the range of connectivity of the blocks to one another, and thus, the key limitation of such building blocks remains unresolved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is disclosed a novel toy building block.

According to another embodiment of this invention, there is disclosed a novel toy building block, which is included as part of a kit with other building blocks, with the kit being sold in a box or other container. The box or container preferably includes elements that can be assembled with the new building block.

The term “bricks” or “interlocking bricks” is often used to refer to the types of toy building blocks sold by toy companies such as those listed herein before. In that the interlocking bricks illustrated herein contain a cavity or slot for receiving a planar material, such as a piece of cardboard, the term “slotted interlocking bricks” will be used to refer to the toy building block part of this invention.

According to the present invention, an interlocking block capable of attachment to other interlocking blocks is disclosed. The interlocking block includes a bottom structure, a spring biased upper structure pivotally connected to the bottom structure so that the upper structure is biased against the bottom structure. The interlocking block includes the upper structure having an array of extruded studs on the top surface thereof; and the bottom structure having a first set elongated strips disposed across an upper surface to cooperate with a second set of elongated strips that extend across a bottom surface of the upper structure.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an interlocking block capable of attachment to other interlocking blocks, comprises a bottom structure including a spring mounting section disposed on an upper surface of the bottom structure. A spring biased upper structure pivotally connected to the bottom structure so that the upper structure is biased against the bottom structure. The upper structure includes an array of extruded studs on the top surface thereof. A connector section extends across an underside of the upper structure and includes two spaced openings. The bottom structure includes a first set elongated strips disposed across an upper surface to cooperate with a second set of elongated strips that extend across a bottom surface of the upper structure; and a spring secured to the spring mounting section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The structure, operation, and advantages of the present invention will become further apparent upon consideration of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures (FIGS.). The figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Certain elements in some of the figures may be omitted, or illustrated not-to-scale, for illustrative clarity. The cross-sectional views may be in the form of “slices”, or “near-sighted” cross-sectional views, omitting certain background lines which would otherwise be visible in a “true” cross-sectional view, for illustrative clarity.

In the drawings accompanying the description that follows, both reference numerals and legends (labels, text descriptions) may be used to identify elements. If legends are provided, they are intended merely as an aid to the reader, and should not in any way be interpreted as limiting.

FIG. 1 shows prior art interlocking blocks, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a three dimensional embodiment of an interlocking block having a spring biased upper structure connected to a bottom structure with an array of extruded studs on the top surface thereof, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a side, three dimensional view of the interlocking block of FIG. 2 wherein the upper structure is biased open with respect to the bottom structure, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a three dimensional view embodiment of the bottom structure of the interlocking block of FIG. 2 showing the biasing spring secured to the bottom structure, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a three dimensional embodiment of the underside of the bottom structure of the interlocking block of FIG. 2 showing the spring mounting section of the bottom structure, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a three dimensional embodiment of an interlocking block having a spring biased upper structure connected to a bottom structure wherein the bottom structure has a cylindrical opening extending therein, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a three dimensional embodiment of an interlocking block having a spring biased upper structure connected to a bottom structure wherein the bottom structure has a cylindrical opening extending across and perpendicular to the opening in FIG. 6, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a three dimensional embodiment of an interlocking block having a spring biased upper structure connected to a bottom structure wherein the bottom structure has a cylindrical connection bar extending outward therefrom, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a three dimensional embodiment of an interlocking block having a spring biased upper structure connected to a bottom structure wherein the bottom structure has spaced open clamps extending outward therefrom into which the cylindrical connection bar shown in FIG. 8 can be secured, in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the description that follows, numerous details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations of these specific details are possible while still achieving the results of the present invention. Well-known processing steps are generally not described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obfuscating the description of the present invention.

In the description that follows, exemplary dimensions may be presented for an illustrative embodiment of the invention. The dimensions should not be interpreted as limiting. They are included to provide a sense of proportion. Generally speaking, it is the relationship between various elements, where they are located, their contrasting compositions, and sometimes their relative sizes that is of significance.

In the drawings accompanying the description that follows, often both reference numerals and legends (labels, text descriptions) will be used to identify elements. If legends are provided, they are intended merely as an aid to the reader and should not in any way be interpreted as limiting.

Cardboard is one of the most widely used materials for shipping in the world. In the United States alone, 90% of all products shipped are shipped in corrugated boxes, totaling over 400 billion square feet. With the standardization of instant delivery from services like Amazon, the number of cardboard boxes (and other shipping materials) being used and shipped is sure to rise. However, once these products are unboxed, the cardboard is often discarded.

The present invention is directed to kits containing interlocking building blocks packaged in cardboard boxes. The kits can be shipped or sold in their disassembled state and then assembled to form a construction. The interlocking building blocks can then be constructed and then left in the constructed state. Alternatively, if they are constructed and then disassembled, the pieces of interlocking building blocks can be stored in a plastic bag or a bin. For that reason, the cardboard packaging is almost always thrown away.

The present invention is intended to permit the utilization of all or at least a portion of this wasted cardboard packaging for creative aspects in the building block construction, and thereby reduce the otherwise wasted cardboard. The invention is also intended to permit utilization of other waste materials like paper and cardboard, in a building block construction.

The proposed box for packaging a kit of interlocking building blocks can contain some of the various elements in the kit which are necessary to complete one or more projects constructed of the building blocks of the present invention. For example, portions of the kit can be constructed of pieces of cardboard having layouts formed of a pattern of perforations in the box. Furthermore, once the design is completed and the box has been utilized, it can still be cut apart for more design capabilities. Take, for example, an airplane wing. If the user wanted to continue using the same box to create a different pair of wings for the airplane, then that would be possible.

An objective of this invention is to create an interlocking block construction that can be used in combination with a packaging substrate such as cardboard to allow for “upcycling” of this material. The term upcycling refers to the use of part of the packaging substate, i.e. the box material, as an element of the final construction. Stated another way, upcycling is to reuse discarded objects from the packaging in such a way as to create a product of higher quality or value than the original. The invention also envisions the use of discarded items such as paper and cardboard in a building block construction and thereby also upcycled.

For example, if the interlocking block kit is for the construction of an airplane, part of the box material could be upcycled for use as the wings and tail of the airplane. Likewise, separately or in combination with a construction that uses the box material as part of the construction, discarded items such as paper and cardboard, could be used in the construction and thereby upcycled as well.

The spring biased interlocking building block construction of this invention permits this type of use for cardboard whereas other building block related components can be used for items. The cardboard box, in combination with the interlocking blocks, and possibly other normally discarded items, can be used to create various types of constructions. The parts of the cardboard packaging that are being upcycled could be outlined by perforations, or printed outlines, to make them easily removable, or they could be cut from the packaging.

The spring loaded interlocking building blocks, and building block related components of this invention can also be used to create designs independent of cardboard. In other words, they can be connected to other blocks without cardboard being involved.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5, the spring biased interlocking building block 22 has a bottom structure 24 and a spring biased upper structure 30 pivotally connected to the bottom structure 24. The upper structure 30 has an array of extruded studs 26 on the top surface 28. The upper structure 30 has a first section 32 with a bottom surface 32 a with a first set 33 of elongated strips 34 that extends across bottom surface 32 a of the first section 32 from one sidewall 33 a to an opposite sidewall 33 b.

A second section 36 of the upper structure 30 extends outward from the top surface 28 of the first section 32 and incorporates a top surface 36 a of the second section 36. A connector section 38 extends across the bottom surface of the upper structure 30 between the first section 32 and the second section 36. The connector section 38 includes two spaced openings 40 that receive the first and second ends 42 and 44 of a torsion spring 46 secured within a spring mounting section 50 disposed on the upper surface 52 of the bottom structure 24. The spring mounting section 50 includes a torsion spring 46 that biases the first section 32 of the upper structure 30 against the bottom structure 24 so that the first set elongated strips 34 engage or cooperate with a second set 56 of elongated strips 58 that extend across the upper surface 52 of the bottom structure 24.

Furthermore, the spring biased interlocking building blocks can include a gap, cavity or slot 43 between the bottom surface 32 a of the first section 32 and the upper surface 52 of the bottom structure 24 that is designed to easily slip onto and capture a piece of cardboard. This gap 43 is designed to capture paper and cardboard of a range of widths. When attached to the cardboard in this way, the cardboard is securely held between the first section 32 of the upper structure 30 and the upper surface 52 of the bottom structure 24 to provide a sturdy construction for building out kits.

As shown in FIG. 6, interlocking block 60 of a more standard construction can be connected to the slotted interlocking bricks for as needed for the particular kit. A cylindrical opening extending within the bottom structure 62 can be used to connect interlocking block 60 to another interlocking block.

As shown in FIG. 7, interlocking block 70 of a more standard construction can be connected to the slotted interlocking bricks for as needed for the particular kit. A cylindrical opening 72 extending across the bottom structure 74 can be used to connect interlocking block 70 to another interlocking block.

FIG. 8, shows a three dimensional embodiment of an interlocking block 80 of a more standard construction can be connected to the slotted interlocking bricks as needed for the particular kit. The bottom structure 82 has a cylindrical connection bar 84 extending outward therefrom, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a three dimensional embodiment of an interlocking block 90 having a spring biased upper structure 92 connected to a bottom structure 94 wherein the bottom structure has spaced open clamps 96 extending outward therefrom into which the cylindrical connection bar 84 shown in FIG. 8 can be secured, in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, the cardboard elements 97 be placed between in an interlocking block 98 can vary in shape and size, from airplane wings to housing elements, for example. They can also be customized with different details, such as textures and colors, to add an additional element of creativity. The removable pieces can also be coated in a matte paint and colored by the user. Other types of metal or plastic waste items, or waste items comprised of paper or other materials, could also be used together with building bricks configured to secure them to the overall building block construction.

Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to a certain preferred embodiment or embodiments, certain equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. In particular regard to the various functions performed by the above described components (assemblies, devices, etc.) the terms (including a reference to a “means”) used to describe such components are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any component which performs the specified function of the described component (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the herein illustrated exemplary embodiments of the invention. In addition, while a particular feature of the invention may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more features of the other embodiments as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application. 

1. An interlocking block capable of attachment to other interlocking blocks, comprising: a bottom structure; a spring biased upper structure pivotally connected to the bottom structure so that the upper structure is biased against the bottom structure; the upper structure having an array of extruded studs on the top surface thereof; and the bottom structure having a first set elongated strips disposed across an upper surface to cooperate with a second set of elongated strips that extend across a bottom surface of the upper structure.
 2. The interlocking block of claim 1 further including a connector section that extends across an underside of the upper structure and includes two spaced openings to mount a torsion spring.
 3. The interlocking block of claim 2 further including a spring mounting section disposed on the upper surface of the bottom structure.
 4. The interlocking block of claim 3 wherein the two spaced openings of the connector section receive first and second ends of the torsion spring secured within the spring mounting section.
 5. The interlocking block of claim 4 wherein the spring of the spring mounting section biases the first section against the bottom structure so that the first set of elongated strips cooperate with the second series of elongated strips that extend across the top surface of the bottom structure.
 6. The interlocking block of claim 4 wherein the interlocking block includes a gap between the upper surface of the bottom structure and the bottom surface of the upper structure to easily slip onto and capture a piece of cardboard or other paper materials.
 7. The interlocking block of claim 1 wherein the interlocking block includes a cylindrical opening extending within the bottom structure to be used to connect the interlocking block to another interlocking block.
 8. The interlocking block of claim 1 wherein the interlocking block includes a cylindrical opening extending across the bottom structure to be used to connect the interlocking block to another interlocking block.
 9. The interlocking block of claim 1 wherein the interlocking block includes a cylindrical connection bar extending outward therefrom.
 10. The interlocking block of claim 10 wherein the bottom structure of the interlocking block includes spaced open clamps extending outward therefrom into which the cylindrical connection bar can be secured.
 11. An interlocking block capable of attachment to other interlocking blocks, comprising: a bottom structure including a spring mounting section disposed on an upper surface of the bottom structure; a spring biased upper structure pivotally connected to the bottom structure so that the upper structure is biased against the bottom structure; the upper structure having an array of extruded studs on the top surface thereof; a connector section that extends across an underside of the upper structure and includes two spaced openings; the bottom structure having a first set elongated strips disposed across an upper surface to cooperate with a second set of elongated strips that extend across a bottom surface of the upper structure; and a spring to bias the upper structure against the bottom structure.
 12. The interlocking block of claim 11 wherein the two spaced openings of the connector section receive first and second ends of a torsion spring secured within the spring mounting section.
 13. The interlocking block of claim 12 wherein the torsion spring of the torsion spring mounting section biases the first section against the bottom structure so that the first set of elongated strips cooperate with the second series of elongated strips that extend across the top surface of the bottom structure.
 14. The interlocking block of claim 13 wherein the interlocking block includes a gap between the upper surface of the bottom structure and the bottom surface of the upper structure to easily capture a piece of paper or cardboard.
 15. The interlocking block of claim 14 wherein the interlocking block includes a cylindrical opening extending within the bottom structure to be used to connect the interlocking block to another interlocking block.
 16. The interlocking block of claim 15 wherein the interlocking block includes a cylindrical opening extending across the bottom structure to be used to connect the interlocking block to another interlocking block.
 17. The interlocking block of claim 16 wherein the interlocking block includes a cylindrical connection bar extending outward therefrom.
 18. The interlocking block of claim 17 wherein the bottom structure of the interlocking block includes spaced open clamps extending outward therefrom into which the cylindrical connection bar can be secured.
 19. A kit for use with interlocking blocks capable of attachment to other interlocking blocks, comprising: a cardboard box containing a plurality of the interlocking blocks; the interlocking blocks having a bottom structure; a spring biased upper structure pivotally connected to the bottom structure so that the upper structure is biased against the bottom structure; the upper structure having an array of extruded studs on the top surface thereof; and the bottom structure having a first set elongated strips disposed across an upper surface to cooperate with a second set of elongated strips that extend across a bottom surface of the upper structure to connect to a section of the cardboard box.
 20. The kit of claim 19 wherein for use with interlocking blocks capable of attachment to other interlocking blocks, the spring to bias the upper structure against the bottom structure is a torsion spring. 